Chapter 22: Trembling Giant (1)

Chapter 22: Trembling Giant (1)

It had been ten days since I sent the custom-made Snuff film to White Chief, and on January 20th, I found myself in the aspen forest of Utah. The cold winds blew, causing the white branches to tremble in the hazy mist, emitting a soft shush-shush sound. Taking a deep breath, I gazed at the forest, and an exclamation of awe escaped my lips. (+)[1]TLN: A snuff film, snuff movie, or snuff video is a type of film that shows, or purports to show, scenes of actual homicide.

“It’s breathtaking.”

Every root in this cluster of Quaking Aspens, unified as one, was bathed in radiant magic and circuitry. Compared to this, the “President” was like a single reed in a reed field or a grain of sand on a beach. It was disheartening that this spectacle was visible only to my eyes. To ordinary people, it would appear as a white snowfield, white fog, and white trees. Still, that alone would create a somewhat dreamlike landscape...

Before coming here, I had stopped by Washington State, and despite the massive organism that was the fungus spreading throughout the state park, it lacked magical substance relative to its size. Therefore, this cluster of poplars was particularly exceptional to me. (+)[2]TLN: Poplars: any of a genus of slender quick-growing trees (as an aspen or cottonwood) that have catkins for flowers and are related to the willows.

“Why is it so noisy around here?”

Kyung-tae was visibly concerned about the chaotic surroundings. Despite being in a remote area with no credible cities within a 30 km radius, several police patrol cars were stationed along the roadside of the passing route. Somewhere in the distance, the sound of barking dogs could be heard.

“Do you have a bad feeling about this?”

“Something feels off.”

“...Really?”

I didn’t ignore Kyung-tae’s unease. Sometimes, this guy’s intuition for danger felt like magic beyond magic.

The view provided by “Eye of the Golden Age” was still valid, but there was too much information here, limiting the practical visibility. Especially in the direction of the forest, beyond the usual perception, it extended only about 50 meters due to the rampant directions of various radiance.

‘It will probably decrease further if we go inside.’

My control field would inevitably shrink to a radius similar to when facing the “President.” Despite diligently tuning the circuits all along, it was as if the magic power exerted by the forest in front of me was that much stronger.

Hence, it would be challenging to accompany many subordinates to explore the forest’s interior. I couldn’t protect them all from the unrefined magic power.

As events led up to this point, I too felt a bit restless. I had been captivated by the enchanting scene and hadn’t had a chance to think clearly. However, I realized that going into the forest would leave me very vulnerable.

Kyung-tae had been considering this as well.

“As the head of security, I want you to not go in there, but... wouldn’t it be insufficient to just observe from the outside, like the ‘President’?”

I gestured with my chin toward the mist in the forest.

“Look at that fog over there. Doesn’t it strike you as strange?”

“I’ve felt uneasy from the start. The direction of the lake is clear, but the forest is covered in mist. Especially during midday...”

“That’s right. That mist is probably the result of the forest’s spell.”

“You mean magic?”

“Yeah.”

By now, this guy would probably understand why I was feeling so awestruck. Even if I had foreseen the emergence of lifeforms awakened to primitive magic other than humans, witnessing it firsthand was a different dimension of the issue. I was currently facing a century-defining event, an irreversible change in the world.

...At this point, the concentration of magic power shouldn’t suddenly drop or anything.

Kyung-tae, scratching his head, made a new suggestion.

“If you want to explore the inside, perhaps we should consider going in, even if it means risking exposure to either a magic power explosion or a magic power hemorrhage, as you mentioned before.”

“No.”

I firmly shook my head.

“You are the elite of the organization and the core of the task force. Do you have any idea how much time and budget it took to train you? We can’t afford to recklessly waste you before a full-scale war even begins.”

Magic power and magical power-induced cancer were different from ordinary cancer in nature. Even if it were detected early, my abilities or conventional medicine might not be able to deal with it.

“All I have are some theories and hypotheses.”

Just like the “President”, the awakening of this forest was faster than I expected. Was there any law that said I couldn’t call it magic power cancer? Therefore, it was appropriate to exercise caution until these guys developed circuits and created their own protective fields.

“But-“

“Isn’t it possible that it’ll become more dangerous as time goes on?”

By then, I would have become a more complete mage, but that wouldn’t necessarily mean greater safety. The Round Table Cabinet in London would establish order, and the presence of newly awakened abilities and their influence would also be a variable. There was also the possibility of global turmoil leading to restrictions on international travel.

Considering the path of struggle we must take in the future, the current risks were just a taste of what was to come. I was prepared for such thorny paths. Kyung-tae clicked his tongue.

“Isn’t there anything noticeable inside that camping trailer?”

Looking beyond the police line, I adjusted my gaze and then shook my head after a moment.

“Not really.”

Kyung-tae expressed his disappointment again.

“Don’t worry too much.”

I glanced at the distant forest.

“If the forest itself is the problem, we should be able to see signs of unusual phenomena before the phenomenon of devouring begins. If it’s something else, I’ll have to bear any penalties, no matter who’s here.”

“Understood.”

As usual, our group of four split into two teams and conducted inquiries at various places.

Kyung-tae and I casually asked a few questions about the resort’s main building, which doubled as a grocery store and restaurant. We inquired about when they started working here, which cabin was said to have lost guests, whether they were family guests or not, when they arrived and when they disappeared, and if there was anything else unusual. Kyung-tae’s natural conversational skills smoothly steered the conversation.

The staff, earning $600 a day for three guests who rented high-end cabins, responded politely and diligently.

“Any strange people?”

“Yes.”

The last question I directly asked was whether there were any people who looked strange. If, by any chance, the Imperialists from London had sent their underlings, there was a high likelihood they would stand out due to their fanatical devotion. Since the means of cultivating loyalty itself was a form of fanaticism.

This applied to me to some extent as well.

Nevertheless, I didn’t wrap myself in religious garb. Not due to a feeble conscience, but because an organization with impaired rationality was more prone to self-destruction.

“Hmm, strange people, strange people...”

The staff, tapping their foreheads with clenched fists, hesitated with a doubtful expression.

“Lately, there have been some...uh, you know, bohemian types... Is that what you mean? People who laugh a lot, are optimistic, have a scruffy style, and seem to have a few screws loose in their heads.”

“Yes.”

“These kinds of people have been coming and going, but is it really strange... you know what I mean? This place is a tourist attraction, and all sorts of people come and go.”

“That’s true.”

I thanked them for their kind answers and handed over a pack of menthol cigarettes I had just bought, along with a tip of a $100 bill. The staff expressed their gratitude with a delighted expression.

The cigarettes I bought weren’t for smoking. It was more of a habit for inducing trace confusion in tracking. Smoking was a habit with addictive patterns, and the type of cigarettes smoked didn’t change easily. Menthol cigarettes with their stimulating aroma were good for chasing away dogs, for example.

Well, the chances of me experiencing such an extreme situation were slim, but it was a habit that wouldn’t hurt. I’d always lived with this mindset.

As I thought about it, I couldn’t help but get angry. Why do I have to live like this?

After stepping outside, I forcefully tossed the crushed cigarette pack into the nearest trash can.

1. TLN: A snuff film, snuff movie, or snuff video is a type of film that shows, or purports to show, scenes of actual homicide. 2. TLN: Poplars: any of a genus of slender quick-growing trees (as an aspen or cottonwood) that have catkins for flowers and are related to the willows. Author's Thoughts

Disclaimer:

This novel is a work of fiction! While it may incorporate elements inspired by our "real" historical world, including historical events, settings, and cultures, it is important to note that the story and characters are entirely products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to real persons, living or deceased, or actual events is purely coincidental. This work should be enjoyed and interpreted as a work of fiction and not as a representation of historical facts or reality.

Also, if you find some error in translation please do let me know by tagging me (@_dawn24) in our Discord server. Since this series is kinda hard to translate. But I'll try my best to make it at least readable :)

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